How to Be Market Researcher - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 10, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy, with far reaching consequences for the market research industry. With social distancing protocols in place, traditional in-person market research activities, such as focus groups and surveys, have become increasingly difficult to conduct. As a result, market researchers are turning to digital solutions such as online surveys, virtual focus groups, and other digital research methods to gather data and insights.

This shift to digital research has opened up new opportunities for companies to reach their audiences, while also providing cost and time savings compared to traditional methods. the increasing availability of digital data sources such as social media and mobile applications has given companies access to vast amounts of previously untapped data, allowing them to better understand their customers and markets.

Steps How to Become

Earn a bachelor's degree. While there is no specific degree required to become a market researcher, most employers prefer candidates that have earned at least a bachelor's degree in a field related to market research such as business, economics, psychology, sociology, or statistics.
Gain experience. Many employers prefer candidates who have at least 1-2 years of experience in the field. Consider internships, volunteer opportunities, or entry-level positions that can help you gain the necessary experience.
Obtain certifications. Certifications are not always necessary, but they can help job seekers stand out from the crowd and demonstrate their knowledge of the field. Consider obtaining professional certifications such as Certified Marketing Research Professional (CMRP) or Certified Professional Researcher (CPR).
Network. Networking is essential for finding job opportunities and building relationships with potential employers. Connect with other professionals in the field through industry-related organizations, conferences, and seminars.
Become familiar with relevant software and tools. Market researchers must be familiar with various software programs such as Excel, SPSS, and STATA, as well as survey designing and management tools like SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics.
Utilize job search resources. There are many job search websites specifically for market research professionals, such as MarketResearchCareers. com and MarketResearchJobs. com. You can also search for job postings on sites like Indeed or LinkedIn.

The development of an ideal and efficient market research process begins with a comprehensive understanding of the target market. To do this, companies must gather data from multiple sources to gain a thorough understanding of consumer needs, preferences, behaviors, and other factors that can impact their business. By taking the time to research the market, businesses can identify customer needs, trends, and potential opportunities.

This information can then be used to create strategies and formulate plans to meet customer expectations and capitalize on potential opportunities. understanding the competitive landscape and tracking the success of competitors can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of marketing tactics. Finally, analyzing customer feedback and market data can help refine strategies and ensure that they are well-aligned with customer needs.

By taking the time to research and understand the market, businesses can create more efficient and effective marketing plans that can lead to increased sales and profits.

You may want to check Data Researcher, Research Coordinator, and Industrial Researcher for alternative.

Job Description

Market Research Analyst
Market Research Manager
Market Research Consultant
Market Research Coordinator
Market Research Analyst/Associate
Market Research Director
Market Research Specialist
Market Research Executive
Market Research Surveyor
Market Research Intern

Skills and Competencies to Have

Analytical Skills
Research Skills
Problem Solving
Data Analysis
Communication Skills
Statistical Analysis
Market Knowledge
Project Management
Interpersonal Skills
Business Acumen
Strategic Thinking
Creative Thinking
Computer Proficiency
Negotiation Skills
Presentation Skills

Market research is vital for any successful business, and having the right skills is essential. A market researcher must possess excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills in order to effectively interpret data and develop appropriate strategies. They must also have a strong understanding of the target market, its trends, and the competition in order to accurately identify customer needs and preferences.

Having these skills will help the market researcher to accurately identify potential opportunities, avoid potential risks, and make informed decisions that will help the business reach its goals. a market researcher should have knowledge of different research methodologies such as surveys, focus groups, and interviews in order to gather reliable information about the target market. With these skills, a market researcher can provide valuable insights that will enable the business to make better decisions when it comes to marketing and product development.

Statistical Researcher, Postdoctoral Researcher, and Product Researcher are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What have been some of your most successful market research projects?
What techniques do you use to ensure reliable data collection?
How do you stay up to date with the latest trends in market research?
Describe a successful strategy you have used for uncovering customer insights?
What methods do you typically use for data analysis?
How do you go about gathering feedback from target audiences?
How do you determine which data sources are reliable and relevant?
What experience do you have in designing survey questionnaires?
How do you ensure accuracy and quality while conducting market research?
How do you make sure collected data is organized and easy to analyze?

Common Tools in Industry

Qualtrics. Qualtrics is an online survey software. It can be used to create surveys, polls and questionnaires to gather market research data. (Eg: A market researcher could use Qualtrics to collect customer feedback on a new product).
Google Forms. Google Forms is a free online survey tool. It allows users to create surveys, polls, questionnaires, and more. (Eg: A market researcher could use Google Forms to create a survey about customer preferences for a new product).
SurveyMonkey. SurveyMonkey is an online survey platform. It can be used to create surveys, questionnaires, and polls to understand market trends and customer preferences. (Eg: A market researcher could use SurveyMonkey to understand how customers feel about a new product).
Focus Group. A focus group is a qualitative research method that involves gathering a group of people together to discuss a particular topic or product. The group discussions are used to gain insight into the target market. (Eg: A market researcher could use a focus group to understand how customers would use a new product).
Social Media Tracking. Social media tracking is a way of monitoring social media conversations and feedback in order to gain insights into customer sentiment and opinion. (Eg: A market researcher could use social media tracking to understand what customers are saying about a new product).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR)
Canadian Association for Public Opinion Research (CAPOR)
European Society for Opinion and Market Research (ESOMAR)
International Association for Survey and Data Science (IASD)
Marketing Research Association (MRA)
Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA)
National Council on Public Polls (NCPP)
Society for Consumer Psychology (SCP)
Society for Market Research Professionals (SMRP)
World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR)

We also have Senior Research Technician, Research and Development Analyst, and Technical Researcher jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Market Segmentation The process of dividing a market into distinct subsets of customers who have similar needs, interests, and behaviors.
Market Research The process of gathering and analyzing information about a target market in order to identify opportunities and inform marketing strategies.
Consumer Behavior The study of how people make decisions about products, services, and brands.
Competitive Analysis The process of comparing a companys products and services to those of its competitors.
Focus Groups A type of qualitative research where a group of people are brought together to discuss a particular topic.
Surveys A type of quantitative research that involves collecting data from a large number of people to measure opinions, behaviors, and attitudes.
Qualitative Analysis The analysis of qualitative data, such as interviews and focus groups, to gain insights into customer behavior.
Quantitative Analysis The analysis of quantitative data, such as surveys and market trends, to gain insights into customer behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Market Researcher? A1: A market researcher is an individual who collects and analyzes data to help inform business decisions, such as marketing strategies and product development. Q2: What skills are important for a Market Researcher? A2: Market researchers should have strong analytical, research, and communication skills, as well as a good understanding of statistical analysis and market trends. Q3: How much do Market Researchers usually make? A3: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a Market Researcher in the U.S. is $63,790 per year. Q4: What are some common tools used by Market Researchers? A4: Market researchers often use survey software, data visualization tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems to collect and analyze data. Q5: What types of organizations hire Market Researchers? A5: Market researchers are commonly hired by companies and organizations in the retail, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing industries.

Web Resources

What Does a Market Researcher Do? | Become a Market appliedeconomics.bc.edu
Market Research Center - Seton Hall University www.shu.edu
Market Research Online Course at The University of Georgia www.georgiacenter.uga.edu